Family Woman Women of influence – Rebekah, Ruth, Hannah, Deborah,Esther Jesus' Perspective John 4:10 Conversation with woman at the well. Spoke with her, not down to her, just as if she were equal to a man. Luke 7:36-50 Woman washed Jesus’ feet. Matthew 26:6-13 Alabaster box Woman caught in adultery – John 8:1-11 First evangelists – Matthew 28:10 Tendencies: Sensitive Perceptive Emotional Caring Nurturing Industrious Shrewd Wife To be comparable is to be on equal status. Genesis 2:18 (NKJV) 18 And the LORD God said, " It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:20 (NKJV) 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. Comparable - is a corresponding helper who has the strength to protect, to surround, to aid, help and support. The wife reflects the image that is seen in the man. Where there is brokenness, brokenness will be reflected. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. In Christ, the wife has an opportunity to reflect and magnify an image other than any negative perspectives of the husband. The image found in Christ can be the one reflected and supported/established. Where fractures are reflected, they are experienced. Natural capacity to influence. Genesis 3:16 (NLT) 16 Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.” Need for affection/help/provision/security/assurance. From this need can come nagging/inability to portray the image of God because of a man who cannot fulfill that need and becomes resentful and domineering. Genesis 3:16 (NIV) 16 … Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." Answer – end the cycle of mounting frustration – instead of demanding – give and reflect Christ’s nature. Submit Ephesians 5:21-24 (NIV) 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Colossians 3:18 (NIV) 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Titus 2:4-5 (NIV) 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (misrepresent) 1 Peter 3:1-6 (AMPC) 1 IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [ subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them ], so that even if any do not obey the Word [ of God ], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [ godly ] lives of their wives, 2 When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [ for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him–to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband ]. 3 Let not yours be the [ merely ] external adorning with [ elaborate ] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; 4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [ is not anxious or wrought up, but ] is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [ accustomed ] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [ adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them ]. 6 It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [ following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by ] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [ not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you ]. Trust God, not your husband. If God says to reverence and allow your husband to fulfill his role, no matter how challenging that may be, one who is in relationship with God will respond in obedience to and trust in God. Example - Christ 1 Peter 2:21- 3:2 (NIV) 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 3:1-2 (NIV) 1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. To assume responsibility for bringing about change in the husband is to attempt taking God’s place. 2 Keys: Reverence Intimacy Mother Titus 2:4 (NIV) 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV) 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. 2 Timothy 1:5 (AMPC) 5 I am calling up memories of your sincere and unqualified faith (the leaning of your entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), [ a faith ] that first lived permanently in [ the heart of ] your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am [ fully ] persuaded, [ dwells ] in you also. In the quiet establish dominion and authority by the Spirit. Commitment to partner with God in the child’s life 1 Samuel 1:11 (NIV) 11 And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” Proverbs 31:25 (AMPC) 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [ the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it ]! Child Honor – value undiminished by conditions. Fruitful way beyond now. Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV) 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Obedience to parents enables faith towards God. Colossians 3:20 (NIV) 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Matthew 18:3-5 (NIV) 3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) 14 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.